Biography of Joseph L. Carter

JOSEPH L. CARTER. – This prominent educator of Eastern Oregon was born at the old Methodist Episcopal Mission, near Salem, January 22, 1845. He is the son of David Carter, who fifty years ago was a merchant in the various cities and states of South America, and in 1840 came via the Sandwich Islands to the then unclaimed Oregon, marrying Miss Orpha Lankton, of the mission party of the bark Lausanne, and settling on Mill creek near Salem, and also living at The Dalles, passing much time in the mines of California and becoming prominent upon our coast in the early days.

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After the death of his father, in 1854, Joseph removed with his mother to Brownsville, and from that place to Lebanon. He laid to rest this beloved parent in 1873, cherishing her memory not only as a devoted mother, but as a friend of the lost and ignorant Indians, and of our rising young state, and as a servant of God, – one whom all Oregon should now honor in her grave.

Much of the early life of the young man was passed in study; and he graduated from the Willamette University in 1868. The information which he received, and the ideas with which his own mind was fertilized, he strove to disseminate, and entered immediately into the educational field as teacher. Twelve years he was thus laboring in Oregon and Washington, being engaged for three of these as preceptor of the Blue Mountain Academy, putting forth his utmost endeavors, together with those of Mrs. H.K. Hines, to build up a first-class institution. In this effort much success was attained and much good accomplished.

In 1878 he engaged in the drug business at Island City, successfully continuing the same for seven years. In 1888 he was honored by the county with the trust of its educational work, being elected as school superintendent, and is to the present time fulfilling the responsible duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of the public.

Mr. Carter was married in 1869 to Miss Maggie E. Rector, of Salem, and has a home plainly indicative of comfort and refinement.